When a major world leader passes away, the guest list for the funeral usually reads like a "who’s who" of global power. So, when Pope Benedict XVI died in late 2022, everyone naturally looked toward Washington. People wanted to know: was Biden at the pope's funeral? It seems like a simple yes or no question, but the answer—and the "why" behind it—is actually a bit more tangled than you’d expect.
Honestly, if you missed the news back then, you aren't alone. The timing was right at the start of 2023, and the Vatican's protocol was, well, weird.
The Short Answer: No, He Wasn't
Let’s get the direct answer out of the way first. President Joe Biden did not attend the funeral of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI on January 5, 2023. Instead, the United States was represented by Joe Donnelly, the U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See.
Now, if you’re thinking, "Wait, didn't I see a headline about Biden at a funeral recently?" you might be getting your popes—or your years—mixed up. As of 2026, we’ve seen some massive shifts in the Vatican, and the media cycle has been relentless. But for Benedict's service, Biden stayed home.
💡 You might also like: Massiah vs United States: What Most People Get Wrong About Your Right to Counsel
He didn't just skip it because he was busy, though. There was a very specific, slightly awkward diplomatic dance happening behind the scenes.
The "Entourage" Problem and Benedict’s Final Wish
When reporters cornered Biden on the White House lawn to ask why he wasn’t heading to Rome, his answer was classic Biden. He basically said that showing up with a presidential motorcade and a thousand-person entourage would have made a mess of things.
"The reason I’m not attending the funeral tomorrow is because it takes an entourage of a thousand people to show up, not literally," Biden told reporters. "But we would move everything in the wrong direction."
Here’s the nuance: Benedict XVI wasn't the reigning Pope when he died. He had famously resigned in 2013, taking the title of Pope Emeritus. Because he wasn't a sitting head of state, the Vatican decided to keep things "solemn but sober." They only invited two official state delegations: Italy and Germany (Benedict's home country).
Everyone else? They were told they could come, but only in a "private capacity."
Why the Vatican "Discouraged" Biden
The Vatican actually requested that most world leaders stay away to honor Benedict’s request for simplicity. For a U.S. President, there is no such thing as a "private" visit. When the leader of the free world moves, the Secret Service moves. Air Force One moves. Sniper teams move.
If Biden had shown up "privately," it still would have required a security footprint that would have completely overwhelmed the "simple" service the Vatican was aiming for.
- The Delegation: Joe Donnelly (Ambassador)
- The Location: St. Peter's Square
- The Presider: Pope Francis
- The Vibe: Low-key (by Vatican standards)
Was Biden at the Pope's Funeral in 2025?
This is where things get interesting for anyone following more recent events. While Biden skipped the 2023 service for Benedict, the world looked very different in April 2025.
When Pope Francis passed away at the age of 88 after a stroke, the rules changed. Francis was a sitting head of state. The protocol for a reigning Pope is a massive, global affair. In that instance, the "was Biden at the pope's funeral" question gets a "Yes" for the 2025 service.
It was a historic moment in Vatican City. You had former President Biden and President Donald Trump both in attendance—a rare moment of bipartisan presence on the world stage. They were joined by leaders like Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Prince William. Unlike the "simple" burial of Benedict, the funeral for Francis on April 26, 2025, involved over 170 official delegations.
Breaking Down the Confusion
If you're still confused about whether he was there or not, it's likely because of these three distinct events:
- Pope Benedict XVI (Jan 2023): Biden stayed in DC. He visited the Vatican embassy (Apostolic Nunciature) in Washington to sign a condolence book. He praised Benedict as a "brilliant scholar."
- The Media Tiff: There was a bit of a tense exchange between Biden and a reporter (Owen Jensen from EWTN) about the funeral, which went viral and made it seem like there was more drama than there actually was.
- Pope Francis (April 2025): Biden attended this one. This was the massive, state-level event that dominated the news cycle last year.
The Relationship Between Biden and the Popes
You’ve gotta remember that Biden is only the second Catholic president in U.S. history. For him, these aren't just diplomatic check-ins; they’re personal.
He often talked about meeting Benedict in 2011, saying it felt like "going back to theology class." They talked about Aquinas and the Summa Theologica. Biden clearly respected the man’s intellect, even if they were miles apart on certain "Catholic realm" politics.
With Francis, the bond was much deeper. They met multiple times—most recently at the G7 in Italy in 2024. Francis was a huge source of comfort to Biden after his son Beau passed away. So, while he sat out Benedict’s funeral to respect the "simplicity" rule, there was no way he was missing the farewell to Francis in 2025.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Biden was "snubbed" by the Vatican in 2023. That’s just not true. The Vatican press office, led by Matteo Bruni at the time, was very clear: "Following the wishes of the pope emeritus, the funeral will be held under the sign of simplicity."
👉 See also: Has Trump Ended 7 Wars: What Most People Get Wrong
Biden didn't skip it because of a rift. He skipped it because the Vatican asked everyone—not just him—to keep the guest list small to avoid a logistical nightmare.
Actionable Takeaways for History Buffs
If you're trying to keep the record straight or writing a report, here is how to categorize these events accurately:
- Check the Date: If the "pope's funeral" you are talking about happened in early January, it’s Benedict. Biden was not there.
- Check the Status: Benedict was "Emeritus" (retired). Francis was "Reigning" (active). This dictates the size of the funeral.
- The US Presence: For Benedict, we sent an Ambassador. For Francis, we sent the President, the First Lady, and a bipartisan group of Congressional leaders (including Nancy Pelosi and Susan Collins).
- Primary Source Tip: If you want to see Biden's personal thoughts on Benedict, look up his 2023 entry in the condolence book at the Apostolic Nunciature. He wrote about Benedict being a "truly Holy Man."
It’s easy to get lost in the sea of headlines, especially with how fast news moves these days. But the long and short of it is that Biden’s absence in 2023 was a matter of protocol and respect for a "sober" ceremony, while his presence in 2025 was a standard (though historic) state obligation.
To stay updated on current Vatican-US relations or to verify specific attendees at the 2025 funeral, your best bet is to cross-reference the official White House archives with the Vatican’s Office of Pontifical Celebrations. These records provide the definitive list of who sat in the "Sagrario" section of St. Peter's during the Mass.